Fireproof box



Draftsman' C. W. BUSSARD.

FIREPROOF BOX.

APPLICATIGN FILED M1618, 1918.

Patented July 8, 1919.

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Draftsman- CHARLES W. BUSSARD, OF '.BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS.

FIREPROOF BOX.

Application led August 28, 1918.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. BUssARn, a Vcitizen of the United States, residing at Blytheville, in the county of Mississippi and State of Arkansas, have invented certain new,and useful Improvements in Fireproof Boxes,` of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fireproof box or chest, adapted to be made in varyingsizes, for containing articles or papers of value, suoli as deeds, jewelry and the like, and which is so constructed as to protect the contents from destruction by fire and heat, as well as to resist extraordinary pressure which would have a crushing effect upon ordinary so called Iireproof boxes or cabinets as now constructed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reproof box or fire safety chest, which unlike the ordinary heavy metal safe, is readily portable` and which can be made in such sizes as to thoroughly protect the contents and be capable of being stored in a trunk, suitcase or the like with convenience, and at the same time be used where a metal lfile case is not suitable, the device also being particularly used by travelers as well as all persons, desiring to store a small amount of goods with safety.

With the above and other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention comprises the novel features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be more fully described in the following specification, and set out with particularity in the claim appended hereto.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, wherein similar characters of reference will designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of my improved reproof box or safety fire chest,

Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof with the lid open, and

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a filler employed in connection with the box.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral 10 designates the body of the box, preferably of rectangular or other form and constructed of metal of suitable thickness to serve as a thorough protection against fire, as well as of such strength as to resist con- Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8, 1919.

Serial No. 251,782.

siderable pressure. The body is provided with an open top, the surroundlng edge thereof 'being bent downwardly -as shown at 11 and provided with a surrounding bead 12.

The cover is designated at 13 and is relatively shallow compared with the body, but constructed of similar material and preferably provided with a handle 14, by which the box may bereadily carried or transported from place to place. Y

The body is provided with a thick lining of asbestos mortar, indicated at 15 held in position by an asbestos or other suitable lireproof board indicated at 16, the same being attached to the body and extending to the upper edge thereof. In order to brace and protect the asbestos lining, strips of metal indicated at 17 and 18, are disposed crosswise within the bottom and extend upwardly along the sides thereof, the free edges of said strips, which latter are of U-shaped form, being bent outwardly as shown at 19 and securely attached to the lining, so as to protect the latter and resist pressure and rough usage.

The cover is provided with a lining of asbestos mortar indicated at 20 and a covering of asbestos or like fireproof boarding indicated at 21, fastened to the cover 13, as by means of a plurality of bolts 22 extended through the cover, asbestos lining and asbestos or like ireproof board 21, leaving the sides 23 of the cover to project downwardly for engagement over the body. The portion 23 is provided with a bead 24 to engage the bead 12, thereby giving a very tight joint to exclude flames and heat or water from entering the box. The cover is held closed through the medium of a hasp fastener 25 designed to engage a staple 26 secured to the cover and body respectively by bolts, rivets or like fastening devices. The hasp when engaged over the staple, is designed for securing the cover in locked position by engaging a padlock through the staple, thereby securely holding the cover in a closed position and preventing the box from being opened except by one having a key to the padlock. This also provides means for preventing the box from opening from the action of heat.

In order to resist extraordinary pressure as by objects falling on the same in a fire, a compression member is provided consisting of spaced top and bottom boards 27 .render the box further '-fireproof, asbestos boards 29 and SOare -placed above and below said compression member, the papers being 'positioned between said compression member and lthe lower board A30, while the upper.

board 29 is provided with a handle 31 permitting the removal thereof with `con venience. In this manner, the contents is readily accessible but it is to be understood that the filling is to be used only when the articles placed within the fireproof box or chest do not fully occupy the same and it is necessary to use this filling in order to en` tirely fill up the packing space.

It is to be understood that the box may be adapted for containing valuable papers or documents, such as deeds, certificates, bonds, jewelry, plateware and other articles of value to be retained against loss by fire and destruction, as already set forth. The cover 13 is hinged to the body as shown at 32. By the term loose asbestos mortar, I mean a paste or pulp provided by mixing finely divided asbestos and water. This is applied to the walls of the box and cover and covered with the asbestos or like boards or sheets which adhere to the mortar and have their upper edge portions bent to extend across to the walls as shown at 33. This mortar is very hard and strong when dry and as it completely fills the space between the boards and the walls there is provided a very efficient reproof box.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, it is thought that a clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of mytinvention may be had, and while I have shown and described the device as embodying a specific structure, I desire that it be understood that such changes may be vmade in said structure as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A fireproof box comprising a metal body having upstanding walls, a lining of asbestos mortar in the body against the bottom and walls thereof, a facing of fireproof boarding positioned in the box against the mortar with the mortar filling the space between the boarding and the bottom and walls of the body, bracing strips extending across the bottom in crossed relation and up the walls and having their free end portions bent to extend over the upper edges of the wall boards, and a cover for the body.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

CHARLES W. BUSSARD.

copies of this patent may be obtained for tive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washingtcn, D. 0. o 

